Get support for study success.
Although we don’t provide programme specific assistance we can help you with:
- Essay writing
- Interpreting assignment questions
- Referencing and how to acknowledge the use of other people’s ideas or intellectual property
- Managing your time more effectively.
As well as giving one-to-one support, we also run class workshops and summer school workshops. Please contact your local student support advisor for further assistance.
Study skills guide
Download the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa study skills guide
Essay writing
AUT: Essay Writing
The University of Waikato: Study Skills
Massey University: Essay Writing Help
Victoria University of Wellington: Essay Writing
University of Otago: Essay Planning and Writing
Wintec: Essays
Referencing
AUT: AUT APA 7th Edition Style Guide
The University of Waikato: The University of Waikato APA Referencing
Massey University: Massey University Interactive APA 7th Edition
Victoria University of Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington APA Referencing and Citing
University of Otago: University of Otago Referencing
Wintec: Wintec APA help
Thesaurus
A thesaurus provides a list of words with similar, related, or opposite meanings. Similar or related meanings are called “synonyms”, whilst opposite meanings are called “antonyms”. Why use a thesaurus?
When you write, it is not unusual to use certain words quite frequently. However, overuse of the same word or words can make your writing repetitive and uninteresting. As such, varying your word use when writing can keep the reader interested in what you are saying as well as having the added benefit of improving your vocabulary (word knowledge).
One way to vary your word use and increase your writing vocabulary is to use a thesaurus to gather a list of words that have the same meaning. Then, when you find that you have repeated certain words in your writing, you can choose another synonym to take the place of the original word you used. Please be aware that you should firstly understand the meaning of the words before you use them. This is to avoid selecting a word that does not fit the context of the sentence.
Because of this, we recommend that you use a dictionary in addition to a thesaurus so that you use only the most appropriate word or words. Remember, the links to these word-finding tools below will only help you find words; they will not necessarily tell you how or when to use these words. As such, you will need to learn what these words mean.
Māori dictionaries
English dictionaries
Dictionaries are a vital resource for all tauira (students). There are also specialised dictionaries that provide the meanings of words that are used in fields such as medicine, computing, law, art, science and the social sciences. Before going to these sites, be aware that some dictionaries will require American Spelling.
Yourdictionary is a free online English dictionary and much more. The free dictionary search gives you definitions, thesaurus entries, spelling, pronunciation, and etymology (the word’s origins) results for your word. Alternately, you can browse the dictionary alphabetically or by related terms to find meanings and synonyms. In addition, YourDictionary provides resources to help you find the best dictionary and translation sites other languages.